PlayStation Patent Reveals Wild New Controller Design

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So, I just read about this crazy new PlayStation controller Sony patented! Apparently, it doesn’t have any physical buttons – like, zero! It’s a really interesting idea, but it’s more about the tech they’re working on for input – how you actually control the game. It doesn’t necessarily mean the next PlayStation controller will be buttonless, just that they’re exploring some cool new ways to play. It’s a patent for the technology, not a promise of a completely new controller design, if that makes sense.

Sony files several new controller patents every year, and while they usually include traditional buttons, a recently published patent from January 27, 2026, appears to be different.

Sony’s Latest Controller Concept Has Multiple Screens, No Buttons

Image vis PlayStation

A recently granted patent (noticed by VGC) details a gamepad without any buttons or joysticks. Instead, it uses touchscreens and sensors to track finger movements – including taps, presses, and swipes. The device then lights up and changes the virtual controls on its screens based on how the player is holding and using the controller, as shown in the patent’s diagrams. The patent is identified by grant number 12533573.

Figure Drawings From Sony’s New Controller Patent

What Sony Is Saying About the Purpose of This Unusual Invention

The patent, first applied for in February 2023, details a system using a screen and sensors to read player commands. This offers greater adaptability than traditional buttons and joysticks, letting gaming accessory makers create a single device that works for various hand sizes, playing preferences, and accessibility requirements – avoiding the need to produce many different controllers. Currently, Sony still meets diverse accessibility needs with specific hardware, like the PlayStation 5 Access Controller released in December 2023.

New PlayStation Controller Patent Doesn’t Actually Require a Complete Lack of Buttons

The new Sony patent details a technology for controllers that can interpret input from surfaces without needing physical buttons. Although some examples mention touchscreens and lights to show virtual controls, the main idea doesn’t require multiple screens or even a display at all. This means the technology could potentially be used in a standard controller that also includes traditional buttons and other physical inputs, with visual feedback being optional.

Estimating the Chances of Sony’s Patent 12533573 Being Used in a Real Product

A new study by Parola Analytics shows Sony received 2,256 patents from the USPTO in 2025, making them the 14th biggest patent filer that year – just behind Dell and ahead of Intel. As of January 31, 2026, TopMob’s review of USPTO data indicates Sony and its companies collectively own 133,506 U.S. patents. However, most of these patented inventions haven’t actually been made into products, which suggests it’s unlikely this specific controller will ever be sold to consumers.

Game controller makers are paying more attention to accessibility, working to better support players with physical limitations and those who prefer unique control setups for comfort. Sony, for example, has patented technology that could detect a player’s position—like reclining or lying down—and automatically adjust the controller’s functions. Because of this growing focus on accessibility, patents like the one with filing number 12533573 have a higher likelihood of becoming real products than many other Sony patents.

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2026-02-01 02:39